BayAreaKiteboarding.com

So some may argue I'm jumping too fast or just not ready, but I can stay upwind almost without trouble, and got some logged jumps, nothing complex, but long and high...anyhow, I started playing around a bit in the chop and really liked the feel even though I was on my Caliber 133. I've surfed a couple of times but kitesurfing just sounds like a whole new ball game.
I've been looking into Cabrinha's Skillit, Underground's Freewave, and Best's Shortstik.
Anybody try these boards or own another surfboard that can care to comment or suggest anything on the kite-surf spectrum?

Surfed a couple of times? Does this mean that you are totally new to surfing?

If so, this means that switching to a surfboard will give you a different feeling, i.e., the board will be lighter faster because shortboards have more float and are typically lighter than twintips.

Find somebody who is willing to lend you their beater shortboard and start with that, or buy a cheap one. You can get a decent old used one for about a hundred bucks or so, try strapless, it will open up a whole new world for you. Picking out a surfboard is even more of a personal preference, so don't get an expensive board until you figure out what you want.

Kiting on waves is a whole new ball game. At least for me, I don't kite in surf that I would not typically paddle into unless I know somebody around who is there in case I need help.

If you don't know how to surf, this would be the best time to learn, before the waves get big, it will give you a whole new experience to kiting once both sports are combined.

charliexd wrote:So some may argue I'm jumping too fast or just not ready, but I can stay upwind almost without trouble, and got some logged jumps, nothing complex, but long and high...anyhow, I started playing around a bit in the chop and really liked the feel even though I was on my Caliber 133. I've surfed a couple of times but kitesurfing just sounds like a whole new ball game.
I've been looking into Cabrinha's Skillit, Underground's Freewave, and Best's Shortstik.
Anybody try these boards or own another surfboard that can care to comment or suggest anything on the kite-surf spectrum?

Seems like you kite at 3rd, I have Underground Freewave and Lite Wave Dave surfboard. Come see me at 3rd and I can tell you more about the boards, you can even try my board for a session.

@ Sonny:
Sounds like a plan. On good days I usually show up between 2 and 3

A kiter (who is now one of my good buds) saw me kiting my second season and said something like "It looks like you really like carving out there" (on the chop/swell at Sherman).

"You should try out riding on a directional". Four years later, I hardly ever ride my twintip.

If you have the basics of kiting down, you can easily make the switch to riding on a surfboard. You don't need to know how to jibe, you just need to be able to ride toeside. If you have trouble staying upwind toeside on a TT, you will probably find that it is much easier on a directional or surboard. It's easier on heelside, too.

Is a twin-tip a lesbian sex toy?

Twin tip is a "pointless board'

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to get started on a directional, I've got a 5'8" polyester board you can have for $75. It's in great shape. No strap inserts, so no straps on this one unless you use one of the adhesive deckpads (like the one's from NSI). Toss some wax on it and off you go.



(it's the one on the right)

510-541-5475 or kirk@lansharks.net

Kirk out

(sorry if I'm breaking the rules by not posting this in the Buy/Sell section)

Try the Jimmy Lewis Chamber. Everyone who has ridden mine loves it.

@ Pete: do you kite at 3rd?
i think it'd be cool to demo several boards before I go and invest in one.
probably gonna go with kirk's board for now, just to get the feel for it and such..

assuming the wind's still as good as it's been I'm probably going to be at 3rd almost every day by like 1 or 1:30